The rural farming town of Litchfield, located southeast of Utica, is divided when it comes to wind power. Supervisor Wayne Casler is in favor of wind power, and has been shepherding the town government toward writing new laws to govern wind power.
He’s faced strong opposition from a NIMBY constituency and a large number of residents accused him standing to benefit from wind development. Now he’s had it, and said he’s resigning at the end of the month.
Town Board member Jim Entwistle had prodded Casler to remove himself from drafting the new wind law, accusing him of having a conflict of interest. Entwistle’s argument is that if new wind turbines are built, the construction company Casler works for would stand to benefit from the business.
Casler wouldn’t budge, saying there isn’t a conflict of interest. Entwistle told the Utica OD that he’s shocked over his resignation.
“I thought he had a conflict of interest with the wind proposal, and I stated that. But it’s just disappointing that he has to resign over one issue after 23 years of service.”
The town paid an attorney near Buffalo to examine the issue, who came to the conclusion that there appeared to be no conflict of interest.
The town is scheduled to hold its next wind ordinance planning meeting next Tuesday, November 16.
